HP Envy 23 TouchSmart All In One Review & GIVEAWAY

When I was contacted to participate in the #HPFamilyTime campaign I was excited for the opportunity to use the HP Envy 23 TouchSmart All in One for many reasons. First of all, now that my kids use touch screen tablets, they demand a higher level of interaction that “non touch” computers don’t offer. Second, after covering the Windows 8 launch, I could not wait to try it out at home (other then the many times I played with Windows 8 at the Microsoft store). Third, I had a desk in our family room that I set up with the plan of putting a PC with a big screen that could be used for entertainment and for schoolwork. I already decided that an all in one would be the best form factor because it would be compact enough to move into the living room if one of my kids needed a quiet place to work. So does the HP Envy Touchsmart All in One fit my needs?

Yes, not only did it fit in as the perfect family room computer, but the new Windows 8 operating system combined with the beautiful and intuitive touch screen made it also a family favorite. After I set up the security and Microsoft accounts for each user, I installed Microsoft Office. The only challenge we had is that I had to activate the security software I installed on each account on the computer separately (but it was quick). Our kids that are not easily impressed by tech were not only impressed – but quickly learned how to use the new Windows 8 interface (using a Touchscreen as well as a keyboard/mouse).

Here is a video I made of the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart All In One unboxing. The set up was so easy (unwrap and a “one plug” in!).

HP TrueVision HD Webcam that works even in low light because of the “adaptive lighting to automatically adjust to changing light”.

Beats Audio offers premium sound. Just add some bluetooth speakers to extend the sound even further.

HP Connected Music to manage music downloads, streaming services and Internet Radio.

Windows 8 operating system (built for touch) perfectly matched with a intuitive touch with 10-point multitouch technology that enables swipe and tap using all 10 fingers.

More information and configuration options for the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO is available at the HP Store.
Here is a picture of what the Windows 8 start screen with “tiles” looks like after I installed Microsoft Office. The Microsoft Windows 8 site explained “Each tile on the Start screen is connected to a person, app, website, playlist, or whatever else is important to you. Tiles light up with the latest info, so you’re instantly up to date. In one glance, you’ll see that photo you were just tagged in, tomorrow’s weather, and messages from your friends“. Next – I can’t wait to configure what Windows 8 apps/live tiles appear on the start screen. There are ones that are pre-configured so I had a great start.

Searching for apps is easy, I just swipe from right to left and the bar below comes up. What was once “programs” are now apps that I can add as live tiles on my Windows 8 start screen:
I will be looking for family management apps while my kids can’t wait to try the paint apps and the Xbox apps.

One of the tiles on the start screen is called “Desktop” which allows me to easily switch to the standard (Windows 7) start screen view.

I can search for files the same way I did on Windows 7 if I want, but also switch back to the Windows 8 start screen by swiping on bottom left or right of the screen.

They immediately found the Fresh Paint program and with a “touch” started creating a digital art project.

Of course – a smile face was the first work of art that was created!

I will be posting next week with my test drive of the other features of the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO and Windows 8. For now – how about a GIVEAWAY that will enable ONE winner to have one for their own family. To Enter – use the widget below with all the details!

***Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a program on behalf of HP and received an ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO as a thank you for participation.

Surprisingly, we don’t have a family computer. We only have my laptop- we don’t even have an iPad! I love that his would take the place of all of that!! With my boys getting older I’d love to have a way for them to explore the web safely on their own (they are ages 7, 10, and 11). The entertainment and games would be a nice perk! I have had ENVY over the Touchsmart ever since I first saw it!

I would use the HP Envy 23 Touchsmart All In One for everything I currently split between a my husband’s big desktop and my noisy, aging laptop: video editing, photo editing, blogging… and maybe some game playing, too. 🙂

I would use the HP Envy as a family computer. I’d put it in our kitchen where everyone tends to gather and put it on the side where I currently have an HP laptop. It’s time we refreshed our hardware and this is state of the art technology. It would go well with the HP printer I just purchased!

OMG OMG OMG! This is exactly what I have dreamed about–I love that this device can act as not only the family computer, but a ‘family hub’ of activity! I love the ‘smart board’ feel that it has, and I think it’s perfect for tech-savvy, digital kids. My 9, 7, and 5 yo–and my elementary school administrator husband–and I would LOVE this! Thanks, Beth, for the comprehensive review, photos, and info. You ROCK.

I look at the Touch Smart and my first thoughts are about what a powerful tool this would be for a child with special needs. The tiles on the main screen activated with a simple ‘swoosh!’. Sweet success!

I love the art program too. Netflix at a simple touch? Yes, please. Right now holding a pencil correctly is hard for Parker. But he CAN use his forefinger to ‘write’ and draw with!

I won’t lie, I tend to look at everything from an educational view point for Parker. The TouchSmart looks to be able to open all kinds of exciting windows for a kid like mine!

We would use this as a family computer, that we could share and use together with our two daughters. They’re just learning how to use computers and would love the chance to have something like this to learn with, side-by-side with us.

As I homeschool my daughter, this would be her primary workstation. We only have Macs in the house but many educational programs we use require the Windows platform. Also, I want her to have the experience of easily working with both to better prepare her in whatever job she may end up in.

Definitely the family computer. My kids are at the age where we’re starting to… maybe… thinking about … getting them their own computer for both entertainment and learning. My husband and I don’t really want them on our work computers for obvious reasons 🙂 But having a separate “family” computer would be ideal!

My high school junior shares a computer with his freshman brother that is dying by the day. They would LOVE to have a brand new touch screen to do their school work and create so much more. Thanks for offering such a great giveaway just in time for the holidays!

I’m a personal finance blogger at Thriftability and am developing several other lifestyle blogs. I also own a small marketing agency. My current laptop can barely keep up with me… and since we recently relocated, buying a new laptop isn’t in the budget until 2014. This device looks awesome – I would use it for absolutely everything I do – business, blogging, entertainment, and leisure. Really excited to find out who wins!!!

I would use this for as my kids computer. My daughter is taking computer classes in preschool & just learning how to navigate a computer! My son loves to create storybooks on the computer & he would love this!

I would use this HP Envy 23 TouchSmart for my school work, it would be nice to have a newer computer that has many awesome capabilities. My laptop has went on the fritz since my dog knocked it from its spot the screen is more black than computer screen…don’t worry I still love my puppy 🙂 My daughters also would use this to complete their homework, which seems like way more than I had back in highschool.

I would definitely use it for Skype! We live thousands of miles away from my family, and we try Skype, but our desktop is just too old and slow to use the video chat. Voice chat is great, but it would really be awesome to use Skype to its fullest potential with the HP Envy 23!
Thanks{!}
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Based on your review this computer looks very kid friendly which is a definite plus for me. My husband is also a painter/graphic designer & I know he could use this to touch up his art and graphics. The screen looks so bright and it’s a great size! I would use the computer myself to jump start my online social media business and of course social networking! I love being able to keep in touch with friends and family so having a high quality integrated webcam feature would make it that much easier! I am really excited about the chance to use the HP TrueVision HD Webcam,
The Beats Audio, High Definition, & of course the All-In-One features that makes this HP touchsmart!

I’d use the HP Envy to manage the household finances, keep receipts and documents organized, prepare files and spreadsheets for work, and to work on graphic design and illustration projects in my spare time. Thanks!

I am a work-from-home-moom and I would use the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart All in One for our home based business office! This would be an amazing asset for our family owned home based small business. It would not only bring our business up to date into the current technology world but allow us to build and grow our business in so many ways! Thanks for the chance! Xo!

I would use it to replace my current laptop computer. My laptop is over 2 years old now and has a broken USB port that is getting annoying. I’d use the computer for course work when I start working on my Bachelor of Science degree in a couple weeks.

Thanks for the giveaway… we would use the HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO as the family desktop, locating it in the family room-kitchen area: kids would do homework & art projects, we would catalog family photos & videos, answer emails, pay bills, etc.

Beth Blecherman a.k.a “TechMama”

TECH BLOGGER: Shares straight talk and tips on tech, lifestyle and travel across many social media platforms including blog TechMamas.com and Twitter @TechMama. She is well know for past articles in Mashable, Laptop Magazine and Cool Mom Tech and Dot Complicated.

INFLUENCER & SPOKESPERSON: TechMamas.com media coverage includes Time.com, Forbes.com, PCMag, Parents.com, WorkingMother and more. Beth has represented many top brands as a Spokesperson online and on TV.

TECH CONSULTANT: Consults with businesses and tech startups on UX design, mobile app testing, growth marketing, social media strategy, marketing automation and online branding. Led social media campaigns by working with brands to reach their marketing goals.

PAST: Senior Manager of Business Process Integrity at Deloitte, Co-Founder of hyper-local national mom blog network called Silicon Valley Moms Group - sold to Technorati.